Methods and systems for lifting a vehicle

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, a system for lifting and supporting a vehicle is described. The system includes at least one vehicle hoist fitting configured to distribute the weight of the vehicle along a skin of the vehicle, at least one removable bearing cup assembly configured to attach to said vehicle hoist fitting, and at least one trunnion assembly configured for attachment to a support structure and further configured to engage said removable bearing cup assembly.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with Government support. The Government hascertain rights in this invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the transport and/or support ofvehicles during manufacture or repair, and more specifically, to methodsand systems for lifting and supporting a vehicle.

During the manufacture of a vehicle, or portions of a vehicle, it may benecessary to lift and transport the vehicle between stages ofmanufacture. The lifting may be necessary to allow access to areas ofthe vehicle that are being assembled. Also, during the repair orservicing of a vehicle, it may be necessary to lift and transport thevehicle to properly repair or service the vehicle.

Many vehicles, due to their shape or size, are a challenge to lift orsupport. These vehicles may incorporate added structural support orhardpoints designed into the vehicle structure so that the vehicle isnot harmed during manufacture, repair, or while being transported. Addedstructural support typically results in an increase in vehicle weight ora protrusion extending from the vehicle structure. In certain vehicles,namely aircraft, keeping vehicle weight low is advantageous and may leadto higher performance and cost savings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a system for lifting and supporting a vehicle isprovided. The system includes at least one vehicle hoist fittingconfigured to distribute the weight of the vehicle along a skin of thevehicle, at least one removable bearing cup assembly configured toattach to said vehicle hoist fitting, and at least one trunnion assemblyconfigured for attachment to a support structure and further configuredto engage said removable bearing cup assembly.

In another embodiment, a method for providing a system to lift andsupport a vehicle is provided. The method includes providing an openingwithin a portion of a skin of the vehicle, the opening configured toprovide access to a vehicle hoist fitting. The method also includesconfiguring the vehicle hoist fitting to receive a removable cupassembly and attaching the removable cup assembly to a supportstructure.

In yet another embodiment, a method for lifting and supporting a vehicleis provided. The method includes attaching at least one vehicle hoistfitting to an interior of a vehicle skin, positioning at least oneremovable cup assembly within the at least one vehicle hoist fitting,the at least one vehicle hoist fitting comprising a cup-shaped memberconfigured to receive the at least one removable cup assembly, andpositioning a portion of a trunnion assembly within the at least oneremovable cup assembly.

In yet another embodiment, a vehicle hoist assembly is provided. Thevehicle hoist assembly includes a vehicle hoist fitting configured to bepositioned substantially against an interior of a skin of a vehicle, thevehicle hoist fitting including a cup-shaped member. The vehicle hoistassembly further includes a removable cup assembly configured to bepositioned within the vehicle hoist fitting and to rotatably engage aportion of a trunnion assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded cutout view of a vehicle hoist fitting, abearing cup assembly, and a trunnion assembly.

FIG. 2 is a second partially exploded cutout view of the bearing cupassembly engaging the vehicle hoist fitting.

FIG. 3 is a third cutout view of the components of FIG. 1, where thetrunnion assembly is engaging the bearing cup assembly, which is withinthe vehicle hoist fitting.

FIG. 4 is a front profile diagram of a first embodiment of a vehiclehoist incorporating the components illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is a side profile diagram of the vehicle hoist of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a front profile diagram of a second embodiment of a vehiclehoist incorporating the components illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 7 is a side profile diagram of the vehicle hoist of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side profile diagram of a vehicle hoist.

FIG. 9 is a cutout view of a vehicle hoist fitting.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method for lifting and supporting avehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The methods and systems described herein are sometimes described in thecontext of an airplane. Such methods and systems, however, are notlimited to practice in connection with just airplanes and can be used inconnection with any aircraft or vehicle. As used herein, the termaircraft refers to airplanes, helicopters, missiles, satellites,spacecraft, and any object capable of flight. Furthermore, the termvehicle refers to any object capable of mobility including, but notlimited to, automobiles, ships, tanks, trucks, and locomotives.

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded cutout view of a portion of a vehiclehoist assembly 8. Vehicle hoist assembly 8 includes a vehicle hoistfitting 10, a bearing cup assembly 12, and a trunnion assembly 14.Vehicle hoist fitting 10, bearing cup assembly 12, and trunnion assembly14 are individual components that, when utilized together, form aportion of vehicle hoist assembly 8. In one embodiment, vehicle hoistfitting 10 is positioned within an interior portion 15 of vehiclestructure 16. Vehicle structure 16 is also referred to herein as avehicle skin. In exemplary embodiments, vehicle structure 16 may becomposed of one or more of an advanced composite material and a metallicmaterial.

Vehicle hoist fitting 10 includes a cup-shaped member 17 configured forinsertion of bearing cup assembly 12. An opening 18 is positioned withinvehicle structure 16. Opening 18 allows cup-shaped member 17 to beaccessible from an exterior 19 of vehicle structure 16. Bearing cupassembly 12 includes a bearing housing 20 therein that is configured toengage a portion of trunnion assembly 14. The portion of trunnionassembly 14 that bearing housing 20 is configured to engage is referredto herein as trunnion pin 22. Bearing housing 20 allows trunnion pin 22to rotate within bearing cup assembly 12. In one embodiment, bearing cupassembly 12 is temporarily attached to vehicle hoist fitting 10 bybearing cup retaining hardware 24 utilizing a hole (not shown in FIG. 1)formed in bearing cup assembly 12.

In one embodiment, bearing cup retaining hardware 24 includes at leastone bolt. In this exemplary embodiment, vehicle hoist fitting 10includes at least one bore 26, which in this described embodiment isthreaded, and positioned such that when bearing cup assembly 12 ispositioned within cup-shaped member 17, threaded bore 26 is locatedadjacent to bearing cup assembly 12. The at least one threaded bore 26is configured to engage bearing cup retaining hardware 24. Incombination, bearing cup retaining hardware 24 and threaded bore 26prevent bearing cup assembly 12 from being removed from vehicle hoistfitting 10 without purposeful action. Bearing cup assembly may betemporarily attached to vehicle hoist fitting using the above describedembodiment, or using any other components capable of temporarilysecuring bearing cup assembly to vehicle hoist fitting 10.

Bearing cup assembly 12 and vehicle hoist fitting 10 may also beconfigured such that bearing cup assembly 12 cannot rotate withinvehicle hoist fitting 10. In one embodiment, bearing cup assembly 12 andcup-shaped member 17 are cylindrical. To prevent bearing cup assembly 12from rotating, bearing cup retaining hardware 24 may include a pluralityof bolts in combination with a plurality of threaded bores. In anotherexemplary embodiment, bearing cup assembly 12 and cup-shaped member 17are shaped to prevent rotation. These shapes may include anynon-cylindrical shape. For example, a square-shaped bearing cup assemblywill not rotate within a square opening.

As described above, when vehicle hoist fitting 10 is properly placed,cup-shaped member 17 is positioned within vehicle structure 16 and isaccessible from exterior 19 of the vehicle through opening 18. Thisaccessibility allows bearing cup assembly 12 and trunnion assembly 14 tobe installed from the exterior 19 of the vehicle, preventing thedisturbance of any materials or other vehicle structure located withinthe interior 15 of the vehicle.

In an exemplary embodiment, the components of the vehicle hoist are madefrom one or more of titanium, aluminum, and corrosion resistant steel,however, any materials able to withstand the forces applied in aparticular application of vehicle hoist assembly 8 may also be used.

FIG. 2 is a second partially exploded cutout view of the bearing cupassembly 12 engaging the vehicle hoist fitting 10. Bearing cup assembly12 is positioned within cup-shaped member 17 and attached to vehiclehoist fitting 10 using bearing cup retaining hardware 24. The shape andsize of cup-shaped member 17 substantially conforms to an exteriorsurface of bearing cup assembly 12 allowing for weight transfer fromvehicle structure 16 to trunnion assembly 14.

In an exemplary embodiment, bearing cup assembly 12 includes a flange28. Flange 28 extends from an edge of bearing cup assembly 12. Inoperation, when trunnion pin 22 is positioned within bearing cupassembly 12, a leading edge 30 of trunnion assembly 14 is incommunication with flange 28. In one exemplary embodiment, flange 28provides a smooth surface with which leading edge 30 slides across astrunnion pin 22 rotates within bearing cup assembly 12. Flange 28 mayprevent wear to vehicle structure 16 that could occur if leading edge 30was in direct contact with vehicle structure 16.

FIG. 3 is a third cutout view of vehicle hoist fitting 10, bearing cupassembly 12, and trunnion assembly 14. As in FIG. 2, bearing cupassembly 12 is positioned within cup-shaped member 17 and attached tovehicle hoist fitting 10. Also, trunnion assembly 14 is aligned withbearing cup assembly 12 and trunnion pin is positioned within bearinghousing 20. Bearing housing 20 allows trunnion assembly 14 to rotatewith respect to the vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a front profile diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle hoistassembly 100 incorporating the components illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. Theportion of vehicle hoist assembly 8 described above is included invehicle hoist assembly 100. FIG. 5 is a side profile diagram of vehiclehoist assembly 100 of FIG. 4. Vehicle hoist assembly 100 is supporting avehicle 102, wherein vehicle 102 includes a plurality of vehicle hoistfittings 10. In the illustrated embodiment, vehicle hoist assembly 100includes four trunnion assemblies, four bearing cup assemblies, and asupport structure 104. Vehicle hoist assembly 100 includes trunnionassemblies 110 and 111, positioned on opposite sides of vehicle 102.Vehicle hoist assembly 100 also includes trunnion assemblies 112 and113, which are orientated with respect to one another in the same manneras trunnion assemblies 110 and 111.

Also, as described with regard to FIGS. 1-3, each trunnion assembly 110,111, 112, and 113 includes a trunnion pin (trunnion pins 114 and 116 areshown in FIG. 4, however, the remaining trunnion pins are not shown inFIG. 4). As described above, trunnion pins 114 and 116 engage bearingcup assemblies (not shown in FIG. 4) positioned within vehicle hoistfittings 118 and 120.

Each of the trunnion assemblies 110, 111, 112, and 113 are attached tosupport structure 104. Support structure 104 is a rigid assemblyconfigured to provide an alignment of the trunnion assemblies with thevehicle hoist fittings for lifting and supporting vehicle 102 in adesired position. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle is positioneda distance from a ground level 122 so that a bottom 123 of the vehicle102 is accessible for such actions as manufacture, repair, ormaintenance. In this embodiment, support structure 104 includes a base124 and a plurality of legs 126, 128, 130, and 132. Furthermore, in thisembodiment, support structure 104 includes wheels 134. However, supportstructure 104 may include tracks, rollers, castors, skid plates, and anyother apparatus that enables the support structure 104 to be mobile.

When vehicle 102 is held by vehicle hoist assembly 100, the weight ofvehicle 102 is transferred from vehicle structure 16 via vehicle hoistfitting 10 and bearing housing 20 to vehicle hoist assembly 100. Vehiclestructure 16 is configured to support the portion of the weight of thevehicle distributed to the vehicle structure 16 through vehicle hoistassembly 100. The trunnion pin 14 and bearing housing 20 absorb normalloads, which translate to vehicle structure shear loads, and minimizeout-of-plane loads through the vehicle skin 16. Minimizing out-of-planeloads minimizes bending effects to adjoining delicate structure andsensitive equipment.

FIG. 6 is a front profile diagram of a second embodiment of a vehiclehoist assembly 140 incorporating the components illustrated in FIGS.1-3. FIG. 7 is a side profile diagram of vehicle hoist assembly 140 ofFIG. 6. As stated above with regard to vehicle hoist assembly 100,vehicle hoist assembly 140 includes the portion of vehicle hoistassembly 8 described above and a support structure 141.

Vehicle hoist assembly 140 is supporting vehicle 102, wherein vehicle102 includes vehicle hoist fittings. In the illustrated embodiment,vehicle hoist 140 includes a plurality of trunnion assemblies 142, 143,144, and 145 attached to support structure 141. Also, as described withregard to FIGS. 1-3, each trunnion assembly 142, 143, 144, and 145includes a trunnion pin. Trunnion pins 146 and 148 are shown in FIG. 6that correspond to trunnion assemblies 142 and 143 respectively.Trunnion assemblies 144 and 145 include similarly positioned trunnionpins. Trunnion pins 146 and 148 engage bearing cup assemblies (not shownin FIG. 6) positioned within vehicle hoist fittings 150 and 152.

Trunnion assemblies 142, 143, 144, and 145 are connected to supportstructure 141. Support structure 141, in the illustrated embodiment, isa rigid assembly configured to provide an alignment of the trunnionassemblies 142, 143, 144, and 145 with the vehicle hoist fittings forlifting and supporting the vehicle 102 in a desired position. In anexemplary embodiment, the vehicle 102 is positioned a distance fromground level 122 so that a bottom 123 of vehicle 102 is accessible foractions such as, for example, manufacturing, repair, or maintenance ofthe vehicle. Vehicle hoist 140 may also be used to support and restraina vehicle during transport. For example, vehicle hoist 140 may bepositioned on a truck, airplane, ship, or any other form oftransportation, to securely hold vehicle 102 during transport.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, support structure 141 includessupport beams 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, and 172 rigidly connected suchthat trunnion assemblies 142, 143, 144, and 145 remain aligned withcorresponding vehicle hoist fittings. Vehicle hoist fittings 150 and 152are shown in FIG. 6. Vehicle hoist assembly 140 also includes vehiclehoist fittings that correspond to trunnion assemblies 144 and 145 butare not shown.

Unlike support structure 104 where vehicle 102 is held a distance fromground level 122 by legs 126, 128, 130, and 132 that transfer the weightof vehicle 102 to the ground, support structure 141 suspends vehicle 102a distance from ground level 122 using, for example, a hanger 168. In anexemplary embodiment, hanger 168 transfers the weight of vehicle 102 toan overhead track attached to a ceiling of a building (not shown in FIG.6). In another exemplary embodiment, hanger 168 transfers the weight ofvehicle 102 to a crane (not shown in FIG. 6) that suspends vehicle 102above ground level 122.

Vehicle hoist assemblies 100 and 140 are each described above asincluding four trunnion assemblies. However, vehicle hoist assemblies100 and 140 may include any number of trunnion assemblies so long as atleast one trunnion assembly is positioned on an opposing side of thevehicle from another trunnion assembly. In another specific embodiment,vehicle hoist assembly 100 includes two trunnion assemblies, positionedon opposing sides of vehicle 102 and aligned with two bearing cupassemblies 12 and vehicle hoist fittings 10.

The bearing cup assembly 12 of the above described embodiments includesa cup-shaped opening, which when used with vehicle hoist fitting 10,provides a trunnion connection point that extends into the structure ofthe vehicle. Furthermore, a portion of trunnion assembly 14 isconfigured to be positioned within the cup-shaped opening. In analternative embodiment, the positions of the trunnion pin and thebearing cup assembly are reversed. In this embodiment, vehicle hoistfitting 10 is configured such that a removable trunnion pin extends fromexterior 19 of the vehicle. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a bearingcup assembly is attached to a support structure, for example supportstructures 104 and 141. In operation, the bearing cup assemblies areconfigured to engage the trunnion pins in order to lift and support thevehicle.

FIG. 8 is another side profile diagram of vehicle hoist assembly 140.Vehicle hoist assembly 140 includes trunnion assemblies 143 and 145. Asdescribed above, the bearing housings 20 (shown in FIG. 1) allow thetrunnion pins 22 to rotate within the bearing cup assemblies 12. Thisrotatable connection allows vehicle hoist assemblies 100 and 140 to notonly lift and support vehicle 102, but also to rotate vehicle 102 up to90 degrees from the position shown in FIGS. 4-7. FIG. 8 shows vehicle102 rotated 90 degrees from the position shown in FIGS. 4-7. Allowingfor lifting and rotating increases flexibility during manufacture,ground handling, service, maintenance, transportation of the vehicle, aswell as pre-flight and post-flight operational activities of thevehicle.

FIG. 9 is a cutout view of a vehicle hoist fitting, for example, vehiclehoist fitting 10 of FIG. 1. In operation, the vehicle hoist assembly isused to place the vehicle in a resting position. In one exampleembodiment, an aircraft positioned on its landing gear is in a restingposition. In another example embodiment, a missile positioned in a cratefor shipment is in a resting position. Once the vehicle is in a restingposition, trunnion assembly 14 is removed from bearing cup assembly 12(not shown in FIG. 9). Also, bearing cup assembly 12 is removed fromcup-shaped member 17 of vehicle hoist fitting 10 and a cover 190 ispositioned and attached to exterior 19 of vehicle structure 16 such thatcover 190 covers opening 18, with vehicle hoist fitting 10 remainingwithin the vehicle.

For many vehicles, most particularly aircraft, by reducing the operatingweight of the vehicle, the performance of the vehicle is improved andthe cost of operation is reduced. Bearing cup assembly 12, incombination with vehicle hoist fitting 10, provide the strength tosupport the vehicle from a vehicle hoist. Since bearing cup assembly 12is removable, the vehicle only includes the added weight of bearing cupassembly 12 when the bearing cup assembly 12 is necessary, which isduring, for example, manufacture, repair, and transportation of thevehicle before operation. Once in a resting position, the bearing cupassembly 12 is removed. Removing the bearing cup assembly 12 reduces theoverall weight of the vehicle as compared to known structures thatpermanently include added structural support or hardpoints used inconjunction with a vehicle hoist system to lift and support the vehicle.

Furthermore, for many vehicles, particularly aircraft, low windresistance during operation is desirable. Cover 190 increases theaerodynamics of the vehicle as compared to not covering opening 18 or ascompared to having a protrusion extending therefrom. In an exemplaryembodiment, once installed, cover 190 transitions smoothly into vehiclestructure 16.

In certain other embodiments, vehicle structure 16 is configured toprovide thermal protection to the vehicle structure 16 and thereforealso the contents held within the vehicle. In certain embodiments,vehicle structure 16 includes ceramic tiles or is covered by ceramictiles that deflect heat in order to protect the vehicle structure 16 andtherefore the contents of the vehicle. In one embodiment, cover 190 alsoprotects the vehicle structure 16 from heat.

In another embodiment, once cover 190 is positioned over opening 18, avolume of air is trapped between vehicle hoist fitting 10 and cover 190.In an exemplary embodiment, a pressure vent 192 may be included withinvehicle hoist fitting 10 to prevent damage to one or more of vehiclehoist fitting 10, vehicle structure 16, and cover 190. This damage maybe caused by the varying pressure exerted on cover 190 by the trappedair due to a changing altitude of the vehicle.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method 200 for lifting and supporting avehicle. Method 200 includes positioning 202 a removable cup assemblywithin a vehicle hoist fitting. In an exemplary embodiment, a pluralityof removable cup assemblies are positioned within a plurality of vehiclehoist fittings. Method 200 also includes positioning 204 a portion of atrunnion assembly within the removable cup assembly. As described above,in an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of trunnion assemblies arealigned with the plurality of removable cup assemblies. By positioning202 the removable cup assemblies within the vehicle hoist fittings andpositioning 204 a portion of the trunnion assemblies within theremovable cup assemblies, the vehicle may be lifted, held, and rotatedin a variety of positions to facilitate manufacturing processes, groundhandling, service, maintenance, transportation of the vehicle andpre-flight and post-flight activities.

Method 200 further includes removing 206 the cup assembly prior tooperation of the vehicle. Removing 206 the cup assembly prior tooperation of the vehicle minimizes the amount of hoist structure that iscarried by the vehicle while operating. In an exemplary embodiment of anairplane, the airplane is considered to be operating during takeoff,flight, and landing. In an exemplary embodiment of an aircraft, thereduced weight may provide an improvement in performance, a reduction infuel usage, and a reduction in operating cost. Method 200 may furtherinclude positioning 208 a cover over an opening left in the vehicle uponremoval of the cup assembly.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specificembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of theclaims.

1. A system for lifting and supporting a vehicle, said systemcomprising: at least one vehicle hoist fitting adapted for use with avehicle, said at least one vehicle hoist fitting configured todistribute the weight of the vehicle along a skin of the vehicle, saidat least one vehicle hoist fitting configured to be positioned adjacentto an interior surface of the skin of the vehicle and substantiallywithin the vehicle; at least one removable bearing cup assemblyconfigured to insert into and attach to said vehicle hoist fitting; andat least one trunnion assembly configured for attachment to a supportstructure and further configured to engage said removable bearing cupassembly.
 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said at least oneremovable bearing cup assembly is accessible from an exterior of thevehicle.
 3. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a supportstructure, said at least one trunnion assembly comprising a plurality oftrunnion assemblies, said support structure configured to maintainspacing of said trunnion assembly from other said trunnion assemblies,and align said trunnion assembly with said at least one removablebearing cup assembly.
 4. A system according to claim 3 wherein saidsupport structure includes at least one leg, said at least one legpositioned between the vehicle and the ground and configured to hold thevehicle a distance above the ground.
 5. A system according to claim 3wherein said support structure includes at least one hanger, said atleast one hanger configured to hold the vehicle a distance above theground by suspending the vehicle from a structure above the vehicle. 6.A system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one vehicle hoistfitting includes a cup-shaped member configured to receive said at leastone removable bearing cup assembly.
 7. A system according to claim 6wherein said cup-shaped member and said vehicle hoist fitting arenon-cylindrical.
 8. A system according to claim 1 wherein said at leastone removable bearing cup assembly further comprises a bearing housing.9. A system according to claim 8 wherein said bearing housing isconfigured to rotatably engage a portion of said trunnion assembly. 10.A system according to claim 8 wherein said bearing housing is configuredto allow up to 90 degrees of vehicle rotation.